Food pyramid poster in the classroom

On April 24, 2018, the School Health Department, in collaboration with the World Food Program, held the Cooking Competition at Khom Thmey Primary School, Koulen District, Preah Vihear province. This program is designed to encourage volunteer chefs to continue their cooking activities for the students in schools where the school meal program supported by World Food Program is being implemented. This event was the first time for Preah Vihear province to celebrate this. There are attendees from provincial and district Department of Education, School Health Department, World Food Program, chefs and school principals from 16 primary schools.

For the Judgment Committee, three were 2 officials from the Technical Office of the School Health Department and one Deputy District Governor of Kulen. The judgment was made based on four important points: sanitation and hygiene, organizing, food appearance, and tastes. The first place was given to the chef from Koh Ker Primary School, who cooked Lok Lak (fried beef with fresh salad, onion and tomato), followed by Kor kor soup (Khmer Traditional Soup with vegetables and fish) from the Khom Thmey primary school, and Fried vegetables with pork from Romchek Primary School. All chefs enjoyed regardless of winning the prize.

The chefs met on the platform and the foods were shown for tasting

During the time that the chefs were cooking, FIDR invited the school principals from 16 schools and introduced Food-based Dietary Guidelines for school-aged children using IEC materials. The school principals were encouraged to disseminate FBDG to their teachers and students and promote healthy eating habits and life style among children. Dr. Kimsotheavy, the director of the School Health Department remarked: “It is important and very meaningful that the government (School Health Department of Ministry of Education), UN organization (WFP) and NGO ( FIDR) continue to work together and organize joint events to promote Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for Cambodian children".

FIDR staff was presenting a brief explanation on the poster to school principals

The school principals came back from the program and placed the poster on the wall in the classrooms.
Some of the students were talking about the food in the pyramid. They said it’s very interesting and they understand what the messages say.